Coaster (13 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Saturday was a cloudy day that fit the mood hovering over Roger. He didn't want to attend the funeral of this girl. He said quietly, "Damn shame."

"What?" Tori looked up from her cereal. "Did you say something
, Dad?"

"No. W
ell, yes. I said it's a shame that I have to go to this funeral today." He paused and rubbed his chin. "Tori, you'd never..."

"No, D
ad. I wouldn't kill myself." Tori touched his hand. "I mean, I understand why she did it, but, I wouldn't."

He kissed her cheek. "Good. Listen, I'll be back later. What are you doing
today?"

"Not much. Mom's picking me up in an hour. Hey, Dad. Sorry about today.
" She put down her spoon and hugged him hard.

"Thanks, Kitten. I needed that."

Forty minutes later he was pulling up to the church. There were so many cars he had to park three blocks away. When he got to the church Roger walked slowly up the stairs taking a program from the young man waiting at the door. The church was old, ornate, and beautiful. The smell of incense tinged with guilt permeated his nose. He looked around at the pews hoping he would see Detective La Rosa. There were too many people to find her, so he took a seat and waited.

                                                                      ****

Detective La Rosa was dressed in a black dress, high heels, and her hair was curled. Most people didn't recognize her when she was dressed like this since it wasn't very cop-like. She watched Roger enter the church and look around, and she smiled slightly. While she would've liked to sit with him, this wasn't the time or place for flirtation. She looked back down at her program and waited for the service to begin.

                                                                      ****

Clara woke up with the sun streaming in the window. Lying on the bed surrounded by Rachel's clothes, she drew in the scent of her daughter and tried to think what to do next.

First she had to call Joseph
to tell him she was here. She'd missed the service for Rachel and the kids yesterday. It was unforgivable that she wasn't there. People must be so confused.
I wonder what Joseph told them to explain why she wasn't there. And how did he deal with it all on his own
? Clara knew these thoughts were a little too late but she couldn't help but feel this morning that maybe she shouldn't have left. Joseph must be worried about her. She should get up and call him, but she didn't move. She just pulled Rachel's clothes and scent closer and closed her eyes again.

                                                                      ****

Joseph would've been furious with Clara if he wasn't so drunk. After the service he spent the night filling and re-filling his glass. Now he was lying on the couch in a stupor. Plates were everywhere and the house smelled like old food and his sweat. He still couldn't believe Clara had missed her own daughter's service. The phone's message machine was full and he had no desire to listen to any of the many voices asking what was going on. Even with the grief, the gossip continued. His eyes were heavy and he felt numb. He never heard the sound of his glass hitting the floor and breaking.

                                                                      ****

Diana's day had been filled with meetings about organizations that needed help. She was going to be particular about which group her children's names would be associated with. It had to be something special and there were so many choices. The organizations that helped children and aided those struggling to start over were the ones that Diana was most attracted to. This aspect was something both the children would've liked, but especially Anne. Diana rubbed her eyes from exhaustion. She called down for her car, got her coat and purse, and left the office. On the drive home she asked Samuel, her valet, to stop at the pub on the corner. "I'll be back in an hour. Wait for me, please."

"Yes, ma'am."
Samuel began to exit the car but Diana waved him off.

"No need getting out Samuel, I can do it." Diana opened the door
to the limousine and heard loud singing. As she entered the pub a hefty wave of tobacco hit her full force. She sighed and walked to the bar. The man behind it said, "What'll it be love?"

She smiled at the informality and said,
"I'll have a martini."

                                                                      ****

James's head hurt. He'd spent most of the afternoon with his barristers and their staff going through the huge legal document Diana's barrister had sent. It was ludicrous. She wanted to leave him with practically nothing. There was no way he was going to stand for it. He had yelled and threatened everyone in the room, yet the legal consensus was that he didn't have a leg to stand on because his wife had proof that he'd cheated. And since she was the one related to the Queen they also agreed, although quietly, that he truly had fucked it up.

Now he was sitting on his
bed wearing a scowl and trying to envision how he could kill Diana. "What a bitch," he snarled under his breath.

"What darling?
Are you talking to me?" Regina came out of the loo wearing nothing but her bra and panties.

"No. I'm not talking to you." His head was throbbing and not even Regina
undressed could change that.

She moved to him and started rubbing his temples. "What's the matte
r darling? Do you have a headache?"

Her touch felt wonderful
. "Mmm, that feels good. Thanks, pet."

Regina blew in his ear and one hand moved down to h
is groin and began rubbing. James moaned and then took her hand and moved it back to his temple. "Just there, dear, just there."

                                                                      ****

The man watched the images of the parade of English royalty walking to the cathedral to attend the services of the two British teens that had been killed on the coaster. Standing in front of his TV he swayed back and forth with his hand cupping his chin. He was glad that he'd made this kind of impact; in fact, even the Queen was attending the service. But then he stopped smiling. People like the Queen had lots of resources at their disposal.
What if they used some special English military group to find him?
He snorted, "They won't find me. I was careful."

Chapter Seventeen

The service ended and the organ began playing as the coffin was carried by four men to the waiting hearse. Lindy's dad moved slowly behind his daughter's coffin while holding his ex-wife around the shoulders. He felt numb and amazingly tired. His ex-wife was crying behind the thin, black veil she wore. He looked at her understanding why women wore those hats at funerals.

His nose was red and swollen and his eyes
were bloodshot from crying. He felt desolate, yet he still had to keep walking and follow his daughter as she left the church. He'd follow her to the place she would be buried and he'd leave her there alone, cold, and in the dirt. His breath caught at the same time his ex-wife stumbled on the carpet.

"You okay?" He asked her quietly.

She nodded silently and they continued into the sunlight.

                                                                      ****

Roger waited outside of the church. He knew Detective La Rosa would be coming out and he looked for her ponytail and pant suit. He scanned the crowd subtly as he turned the change in his pocket. Watching the door he saw a woman step out into the sunlight, blinking at the brightness. Roger stared. He was pretty sure....wait...that was her. But she looked so different.

                                                                      ****

Detective La Rosa looked around at the people standing in front of the church. It took a moment to focus because the sunlight was so bright. Once her eyes adjusted she saw Roger staring at her. He looked impressed and shocked and she smiled.

S
he had dressed appropriately for the service but her thoughts weren't completely on mourning when she chose to wear the black dress that fit her body and snakeskin heels. She knew these pumps made her legs look great.

S
he carefully stepped down the stairs, not wanting to fall while making her way to Roger's side, hoping he was appreciating her legs.

Even in her
tallest heels Roger looked down at her and smiled. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks." La Rosa blushed a bit.

Roger's eyes didn't leave her face as he said, "You want to go and get some lunch? I don't think I can handle sitting in a room with all these sad people."

La Rosa nodded. "Yes, I would. I agree. It's
all just too sad."

Roger held his arm out
for her. She linked her arm with his as he said, "Come on."

                                                        ****

Diana finished the last of her three
martinis and knew she should be going, but she didn't trust herself to stand up. After that many drinks she felt a bit pissed and wasn't sure she wouldn't fall over. She took out her cell phone and called Samuel to come in and fetch her. The bartender winked at her and held up a whiskey glass. Diana shook her head and looked towards the front door. As she did she saw someone approach her table from the side.

"Mrs. Richfield?" A quiet voice asked.

"Yes." Diana took in the young girl standing in front of her. "Oh, Kate. It's so...." Diana's voice caught.

"I'm so sorry that I haven't been to see you." The girl paused. "
The service...Anne's service, was certainly lovely. She would've loved it. I mean, that sounds odd to say, but it was very Anne." The girl's eyes were filling with tears.

"Kate, can you sit for a moment?"

"Sure." The girl pulled out a chair and sat down.

Diana looked towards the bar. "D
o you want anything?"

"No. No, thank you. I was here with friends. I told them to leave without me. I wanted to s
tay...."

Diana put her hand over the girl's hand. "I am so glad that you did, Kate. It feels quite better talking to you." Diana paused and then took her hand away. "How have you been, dear?"

Tears were slowly slipping down the girl's cheek as she looked up at Diana. "Honestly, not very well. I miss her so much." Her hand wiped the tear away quickly.

"I know. I do too. I mean, I miss hearing her talk and I
even miss her rolling her eyes at me." Diana looked down at the table. "Kate, I know this question isn't very fair, but I was hoping you could tell me. Did Anne...well...did she feel for me...."

"Did she love you?" Kate got to the point.

Diana nodded. "That would be why you were such good friends. Anne never beat around the bush either."

Kate smiled. "No, she was always very direct
. But what you're asking. You were her mum. Of course she loved you dearly. I think she felt she disappointed you since you were always involved in parties and going out and that wasn't really what she cared about."

Diana put her hand to her forehead and nodded again. "Yes, I was quite frivolous."

Kate didn't respond.

"Well, I loved her. I didn't always understand her and I know I let her down. But I've changed, Kate. This has changed me. I know that sounds trite because of course the death of your children would change you. But it's as if I've...damn this is gonna sound so theatrical, but it's as if I've finally woken up. Like I was sleepwalking through the life I had and was so sure I wanted. Losing Anne and Christopher...." Diana's throat caught.
"Well, it's changed everything. So I hope you'll stay in touch. I'd like to know what you're up to. Can you do that, Kate?"

"Sure. I'm leaving in a month to Australia to study Marine Biology
, but I will write you. Would that be okay?"

"That would be lovely. Truly lovely, dear.
And enjoy Australia. I hear it's beautiful there. Your parents must be so proud of you."

"They aren't
happy I'm going so far, but they are glad I am continuing with school. Don't want to waste the education." Kate began to stand.

"Wait, Kate, o
ne more thing. I'm trying to find some charity or organization that Anne and Christopher would've liked. I want to start a foundation in their name. Do you know what Anne was passionate about?" This question hurt since as her mother she should know what her daughter loved.

"Kids. She loved kids. And music. Anne loved music."